
For every family, the festive season is always slightly different, whether it’s the games you play or the Christmas traditions and activities you enjoy.
Some families have traditional Christmas games that they play every year, some enjoy getting out and exploring the landscape, while others simply love baking and cooking their way through the holidays. No matter what you love to do, we've got a host of exciting ideas to keep you entertained this Christmas.
We’ve listed a few of the very best Christmas games and fun activities we could dream up to inspire you to make the most of the festive season no matter where in the UK you are.
If you're trying to think up something totally unique and unusual this year, check out our ideas for an alternative Christmas or keep reading for fun and festive holiday activities.
Christmas traditions

A Christmas story before bedtime
Every year, buy a new Christmas storybook and send your little ones off to sleep as you read it to them. They’ll dream of Santa and Rudolph until they wake the next morning to discover their bulging stockings and parcels beneath the tree.
Christmas Eve pyjama party
A fun idea to start when your children are really young. Pretend that Father Christmas has dropped off some Christmas pyjamas on Christmas Eve. Your little ones can then jump into their snuggly new night clothes and spend the evening watching Christmas films and preparing Santa’s mince pies.

Christmas light trail
Wrap up warm and set off on foot or in the car to see who can spot the most extravagant Christmas light display. You know there’s always going to be at least one in the neighbourhood who has gone all out, and it will make you feel really festive too. When you get home, you can warm up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate.
A magic key for Santa
For lots of little ones, the sudden realisation that you have no fireplace will probably concern them. Reassure them with this wonderful Christmas activity for kids by making a pretend ‘magic key’ which every Christmas Eve you can hide outside the back door for Santa Claus! A bit of cardboard, glitter and a touch of magic makes this a great creative activity - just make sure you pop in in a waterproof box or bag for the night outside. This is a great idea if you’re staying in a cottage without a fireplace too.

Buy a new ornament every year
A nice one for couples. Create a special Christmas tradition by choosing a brand new home ornament or Christmas tree decoration every year to symbolise another year together. Make sure you write the year on the back of the decoration. For families, get your children to choose a festive object every year and as they get older you can see how the ornaments begin to differ.
Christmas Games

Mini tournament
Plan an evening of top Christmas games that include a round of pool, darts or a table tennis tournament! If you’re staying in one of our properties with games facilities this Christmas, there’s hours of fun to be had.
Pin the nose on the reindeer
This family Christmas game is a version of pin the tail on the donkey! Use brown card to cut Rudolph out and make a sticky nose out of a ball of tissue paper and tape. Every child gets a chance to be blindfolded and to stick the nose on the reindeer – whoever gets it closest to where it should be, wins a prize!
If you enjoy being creative, try making a natural Christmas star, snowman decorations or a paper wreath - perfect for an afternoon of family crafting. Try out one of these Christmas craft ideas.
Name that carol
List three or four lyrics from popular Christmas carols and get your guests to guess which songs they are from – don’t list the title of the carol though!

Christmas quiz
Think you know everything there is to know about the festive season? Plan a traditional party game of Christmas-themed trivia and individually or in teams compete for first place. As the quizmaster, you’ll need to organise some prizes too!
Birth year gift game
This is a bit of a fun variation on traditional secret Santa. As well as writing your name down, add the year you were born. When you buy a present for the person you chose, it has to be related to the year they were born!
Christmas activities

Christmas walk
Burn off your turkey dinner with a Christmas day walk. Grab your hats and scarves and head to the countryside with the family. There’s always a sense of community on Christmas day, you never know who you’ll exchange a friendly chat with on your way. This is a great idea if you have a dog too, they’ll appreciate some fresh air and a good run around.
Tell Santa where you are
If you’re spending Christmas in one of our cottages it might worry your little ones that Santa won’t know where you are when he drops by with a sleigh full of gifts. Put their mind at ease by sitting down and writing a letter, confirming your location this Christmas.

Make gingerbread men
Is it your turn to host the whole family this Christmas? Get the kids involved in the preparations and make mini gingerbread men with them. That way you’ll be keeping them entertained, as well as catering for any little visitors on Christmas day.
Believe it or not, there’s still time to book yourself a last-minute Christmas break. Check out our Christmas cottages and spend a few days relaxing with your friends and family, away from the stresses of home. Alternatively, you could also treat your loved ones to the gift of a holiday with one of our Christmas gift vouchers!
Christmas cottages